To be like Jesus means a life of service to others.Proper 24 (29) Yr. B, Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Object:

None is needed, but you could use a "wishbone" from a chicken or a turkey "if you wish."

Scripture:

"Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43b-45 (NLT)

When I was a little boy, the best thing about having chicken for dinner was the "wishbone." After we finished eating, my sister and I would each hold one side of the wishbone, close our eyes and make a wish. Then we pulled on the wishbone until it broke apart. The one who got the biggest piece was supposed to have their wish come true.

Have you ever wished for something? Sure you have. We all have. Sometimes we make a wish without thinking about what would happen if our wish really came true.

Have you ever planned to have a picnic and it rained? Perhaps you sat and watched the rain and grumbled to yourself, "I wish it would stop raining." What if that wish came true and it really stopped raining FOREVER? There would be no grass, no trees, no flowers. Rivers, lakes, and streams would dry up and all life would begin to disappear. This world would be a miserable place if it stopped raining, wouldn't it?

James and John were two brothers who were disciples of Jesus. One day, the two of them came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus replied.

"In your glorious Kingdom, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left." You see, they thought that Jesus was going to set up an earthly kingdom, and they wanted to sit beside him on the throne. They wanted to share in his greatness.

Jesus answered them and said, "You don't know what you are asking." Then he explained that whoever wants to be great must be a servant of all. He said, "For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." (NLT) Jesus was right! I don't think that being a servant was exactly what James and John were wishing for!

Sometimes you and I may say, "I wish I could be more like Jesus." Is that really our wish? If we really want that wish to come true, we must give our lives in service to others.

Dear Jesus, help us to mean it when we say, "I wish I could be more like Jesus." Amen.